Modification of phytochemical production and antioxidant activity of Dracocephalum kotschyi cells by exposure to static magnetic field and magnetite nanoparticles

Key message This research proposes the potential of static magnetic field and Fe3O4 magnetite nanoparticles elicitors in simultaneous production and secretion of Dracocephalum polychaetum phytochemicals into culture media. Dracocephlum kotschyi Boiss is a genus in Lamiaceae family and a medicinal herb native to Iran. The cell suspension cultures were treated by static magnetic field (SMF) and Fe3O4 magnetite nanoparticles (MNP) to understand the production yield of secondary metabolites. The treatment procedure was done by cultivating the cells either with 100 ppm MNP, SMFs, or simultaneous exposure to both MNP and SMFs. The SMF at 30 mT was uniformly applied to the cells either for 3 or 4 days with a 3 h per day or a 5 h per day intervals, respectively. The contents of phenolics and phytochemicals were then examined by high performance liquid chromatography and UV-Vis spectrophotometer. These treatments imposed oxidative stress and induced polyphenol oxidase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase, accompanied by enhanced production of phenolics, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and lignin. The highest membrane embrittlement and elicitation was found upon simultaneous application of the MNPs and SMFs, followed by the MNP and SMFs. The contents of naringin, rosmarinic acid, quercetin, thymol, carvacrol, apigenin, and rutin increased in the intracellular biomass of all treated cells and extracellular culture media. These findings propose the potential of these elicitors in simultaneous production and secretion of these phytochemicals into culture media.

Automated summary

The study explores the potential of static magnetic field and Fe3O4 magnetite nanoparticles in enhancing the production and secretion of phytochemicals in Dracocephalum polychaetum. The treatments induced oxidative stress, leading to increased production of key phytochemicals like naringin and quercetin in both intracellular and extracellular sources.